Once again, GE/NBC capitulates to the right

[CatWoman]

Facing Political Pressure, MSNBC Reshuffles Campaign Anchors

In media news, MSNBC has announced Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews will no longer anchor any of the network’s live political coverage for the rest of the presidential campaign season. NBC News’ White House correspondent David Gregory will become the primary host of the network’s coverage of the upcoming debates and on election night.

In May, White House Counselor Ed Gillespie sent a letter to NBC News accusing Matthews and Olbermann of being “blatantly partisan.” The McCain campaign and several right-wing groups have also complained that Matthews and Olberrmann are too liberal. It’s not the first time MSNBC, which is owned by General Electric, has shifted its programming because of political pressure.

In 2003, prior to the invasion of Iraq, the network canceled its highest-rated program hosted by Phil Donahue. A leaked internal NBC study indicated Donahue was fired because of his antiwar views. The study found that Donahue “seems to delight in presenting guests who are anti-war, anti-Bush and skeptical of the administration’s motives.”

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/9/9/headlines#13

[wndycty]

1. Its hard for me to say they are going to the right the same week they gave Rachel Maddow her own. .

. . .show.

[CatWoman]

2. I didn't say "going" to

I said "capitulates"

[woo me with science]

9. This wasn't capitulation.

The network did exactly the right thing by carving out places for commentary (e.g., Maddow's show and Countdown) and trying to keep the news objective.

The people complaining about this have either no comprehension of or no regard for the basic tenets of good journalism, which include a strong boundary between news and commentary. Olbermann is great to watch, but he clearly does commentary, not news.

Frankly, I'm embarrassed by the number of people here who seem happy to throw objectivity out the window, just as long as the "newscaster" who is hired shares their views.

I'm guessing it is a problem of ignorance. Maybe people just aren't taught the fundamentals of journalism anymore.

[CatWoman]

10. oh, please

[woo me with science]

11. Eloquent reply. nt

[CatWoman]

12. thank you.

I'm involved in a very deep conversation right now with someone else.

Even if I wasn't, I'd still reply the same way.

Thanks again.

[woo me with science]

13. Why?

Just to be rude? That wasn't very nice.

Just a suggestion: If you really have nothing to say, it is usually best to say nothing...

And you clearly have nothing on this point.

[CatWoman]

15. who the fuck died and crowned you King?

have you NOT been paying attention these past 8 years???

Especially during the Plame affair?

You're not privy to the GOP calling NBC talent to complain, and those complaints not being acted upon?

[woo me with science]

16. You have no idea what you are talking about.

Did you EVER take a basic journalism course? Ever? Do you have any conception of the wall that is supposed to exist between commentary and news?

Keep throwing out red herrings. It does not matter a whit who complained or who initiated this process, although I will point out that KO has claimed that he did. That is not the point here anyway. The point is whether MSNBC is doing the right thing by trying to keep the wall between news and commentary intact, and OF COURSE it is. Do you have any idea how the tactics of FOX News have contributed to the deterioration of journalism and the election process in this country? Do you even care?

I choose to believe that you are ignorant rather than stupid, so let me try to explain this to you. Just because FOX does something does not make it right. If you are willing to sacrifice basic ethics of journalism just because the other side is doing it, guess what? You lose your authority ever to criticize FOX again. More importantly, you hasten the slide to turn every network into a partisan propaganda machine. You don't care about the consequences of that, but some of us do.

There is a place for commentary. KO is immensely talented, but he clearly does commentary, not news. Again, Journalism 101.

Spare me your arguments that FOX does it, or that no newscast is objective. Of course no newscast is completely objective, but if you hire Brit Hume or Keith Olbermann as your "anchor," you have abandoned trying. You have abandoned what is supposed to be the foundation of our free and objective press in this country. And guess what? You may be in a position now to ensure that your guy is the one "newscasting" at one of the networks. But what about next month? You open the door to this, and you will reap what you sow down the road. Put your approval on this shit, and you will eat it later.

First graders will happily trade a hundred dollar bill for an M&M. I guess if you don't realize how precious something is, you will happily give it away for something that tastes good in the short term. Thank goodness MSNBC has more sense, and more concern about their reputation and brand name, than you do. They choose to defend journalistic ethics, and so should we all. It's either that, or shut the fuck up about FOX News.

[cyberpj]

3. This appears to be a new campaign by the right - - -

I saw this copy of National Review on the mail bench at my condo today and was interested enough in what they would say to find their site and read the article online.

September 15, 2008
COVER STORY

Olbermann Broadcast Corporation

Keith Olbermann’s MSNBC is not becoming a network for liberals. No. Under Olbermann, MSNBC is in the process of becoming a network for the far Left — a development that poses a big problem for NBC’s news division.
By Stephen Spruiell



Well, guess what? You can't. You have to subscribe. And you have to pay to subscribe
So I went back to the mail bench and gave the article a quick read.
Wow.
Is this thing published by Murdoch and/or Fox network?!?!?

They really tear Olbermann apart and then they say because he got some ratings that he now commands everyone at MSNBC from his own boss to his own boss's boss and even that he refused to go on the air after moving to their new building until he got an office without a window in the door - portraying him as a childish temper tamtrum thrower. For good measure they throw Kos under the bus with him.

Not having been familiar with this magazine before seeing it today, perhaps you all already know it as a hatchet rag of the far right (it also includes many articles about John McCain - The POW and his advanced ideas for America) but I thought it worth sharing here anyway because of the increased danger these media lies pose to other readers who might pick one up in a doctor's office or something.

Now I'll be interested to hear what Keith Olbermann and Duers have to say in response.

Is there nothing to be done about a runaway lying media in this country?

http://nrd.nationalreview.com/

[Berry Cool]

8. KO has already debunked the story about his supposedly demanding a new door.

He said on the show tonight that when he moved to 30 Rock, his old offfice door was soon replaced with a new one that was almost all glass, so he asked for a BLIND he could put over it. And he never "refused to go on the air" or threatened not to go on the air until he got it.

It's more lies from the reliable wingnuts.

[cyberpj]

14. But this issue is dated for 9/15 distribution - and they keep on lying - why not sue for slander?

It's the only way to stop them.

[buff2]

4. I wonder if Gillespie sent any e-mails to Fox?

They're "blatantly partisan" too. Oh wait.....Fox is partisan for THEIR side,so that makes it ok. :grr: Damn,those republiCONS make me sick. :puke:

[LaPera]

5. “blatantly partisan.” What the fuck is Fox news every minute of every day if not republican partisan

Republicans are allowed to have their partisan lying fucks on every news channels 24/7 but have just one or two progressives on and the republicans go nuts!

Don't let these republican fuckers intimidate and always get their way, fuck ALL republicans!

[H2O Man]

6. GE/NBC

is part of the right.

[CatWoman]

7. hey

I owe you an email :hi:

been pretty busy :)